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Updated: Jan 5, 2026
Microvascular Decompression: Salient Surgical Principles and Technical Nuances
Published on: July 5, 2011
Minimally invasive asterional approach for microvascular decompression in trigeminal neuralgia
Ramiro López-Elizalde1,2, Esteban Reyes-Velasco1, Álvaro Campero3
1Health Regulatory Directorate, Instituto de Seguridad y Servicios Sociales de los Trabajadores del Estado, City of Mexico, Mexico.
Objective:
Trigeminal neuralgia (TN) is a neuropathic disorder that can be treated surgically. This study aimed to present the surgical findings and the clinical outcomes of 26 patients with TN treated by minimally invasive asterional surgery.
Methods:
Longitudinal descriptive study. Twenty-six patients with TN underwent minimally invasive asterional surgery. The medical history, surgical findings, therapeutic response, and complications were registered. They were followed for 36 months.
Results:
Nineteen cases were associated with vascular compression; five were associated with arachnoiditis. The two remaining cases were associated with multiple sclerosis and post-herpetic neuralgia. The pain was substantially reduced in all patients in the immediate postoperative period. At 36 months, in 25 patients, total or acceptable pain control was achieved. In the long term, 22 patients evolved with no permanent complications.
Conclusion:
The microvascular decompression surgery by an asterional approach is an alternative with similar results to the classic retrosigmoid approach to treat TN, but that adds the benefits of the principles of minimally invasive surgery. Constant efforts need to be made to optimize minimally invasive surgical techniques for TN.
